Universal Design for Learning

"Theories and Research in Educational Technology and Distance Learning Instruction through Blackboard" - how it relates to my educational technology philosophy.

It’s now more important than ever to analyze the various educational technology theories and decide which is the most appropriate during this challenging time of remote learning. Each theory must be applied to meet the diverse learners’ needs while being married with the correct instructional methods and its delivery. This is difficult as new technologies are introduced and professional development must be constantly made available to keep up with new educational technology tools, as well as their never-ending updates.

The four main theories include Behaviorism, Cognitivism, Constructivism, and Multiple Intelligences. These theories must be intertwined with the delivery of distance learning instruction in order to make it more effective.

Since “behaviorists believe external stimulation influences one’s learning behavior, rewards and punishment can change one’s learning performance” (Ouyang 2014). A great example of the Behaviorism theory in practice is the use of Gimkit, which uses a game-show platform where students compete by answering questions on their electronic devices. Instead of earning points, students earn virtual currency, which they can "invest" during the game to boost their score, which can be a rewarding experience.

Cognitivism studies our thinking process and its development throughout the different stages of life. Creative thinking is one of the important skills that cognitive theory focuses on. In addition, Constructivism allows students to learn by doing, with the belief that failure is not an option. STEM activities are full of hands-on learning. Coding is an example of constructivism because of the problem-solving, debugging and computational thinking skills needed to develop algorithms for computer programs, along with its ability to ignite a student’s creative thinking skills.

Since all learners have their own unique skills and abilities, the theory of Multiple Intelligence allows teachers to properly choose the most effective educational technology applications based on the students' individual needs.

In my classes, I offer several ways to engage students' creativity by introducing them to a multitude of educational technology applications. Allowing them to make a choice in how they present their work gives them the opportunity to use their critical thinking skills and focus on their individual abilities, which optimizes learning. As a result, their final product focuses on their strengths and they produce amazing work with the use of apps like BookCreator, Canva, iMovie, Flipgrid, Stop Motion, and more.

Ouyang, John Ronghua, and Nile Stanley. "Theories and Research in Educational Technology and Distance Learning Instruction through Blackboard." Universal Journal of Educational Research, vol. 2, no. 2, 2014, pp. 161-72, www.hrpub.org/download/20140105/UJER8-19501458.pdf. Accessed 22 Nov. 2020.